Fiber-cleaning machine.



H. L. VAUGHAN.

FIBER CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 22, 1910. 1,001,481 Patented Aug. 22, 1911.

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APPLIoA'rIoN FILED 00122, 1010.

1,001,481 Patented Aug. 22, 1911.

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HENRY L. VAUGHAN, 0F EL PASO, TEXAS.

FIBER-CLEANING MACHINE.

noemer Specification of Letters Patent.b

Application tiled October 22. 1910.

Patented A110'. 22, 1911.

Serial No. 588,451.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY L. VAUGUAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at El Paso, in the county ot lill Paso and State of Texas, have invented certain new and use't'ul Improvements in Fiber-Cleaning Machines, ot' which the :following is a specilica` tion.

This invention relates to that class of machines employed tor decorticating and removing the pulp jlroln the long liber ot fibrous plants such as tor example the Lec/myrtille, [lenig/ucm, inagney, and others, and it consists in certain peculiarities ot the construction, novel arrangement and operation oit the various parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more tu] ly set forth and specilically claimed.

The principal objects oil the invention are to simplify the construction ot such machines; to improve their general etliciency; and to provide machines of the above-named character which shall be compact in 'form and portable.

Other objects and advantages o1 the invention will be disclosed in the subjoined description and explanation.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains, to make and `use the sance, I will now proceed to describe it, referring Ato the accompanyiiig drawings, in which- Figure` l, is a view in side elevation ot a fiber cleaning machine embodying the invention; Fig. 2, is a view oit. the rear or feeding end of the machine; Fig. 3, is a plan view thereof; Fig. 4, is an enlarged tragmental plan view oit the vertically arranged rotary beaters or cleaning cylinders; Fig. 5, is an enlarged view of the upper portion of one ot said beaters or cylinders; Fig. (i, is an enlarged plan view oit a portion ot the toothed drum or band wheel ot the machine; Fig. 7, is an enlarged cross-sectional view ol a portion of said wheel and a part ot the shield or apron which co-acts therewith; and Fig. 8, is a detached View partly in section and partly in elevation of the shields :li'or the finishing beater and wheel.

Like numerals oit reference, reiter to corresponding parts throughout the ditl'erent views ot the drawings.

The main frame oit the Amachine may be made ot' any suitable size and :toi-m, but is herein shown as consisting et two upright side pieces 10, and 1l, which are connected together in parallelism by a transverse piece 1'2, at each ot' the ends thereof. Journalcd on the central upper portion ot the trame is a sha't't 1?), on which is uiou'uted between the side pieces '10, and ll, o't the 'ti-ame, a wheel tt, which has on one ot its sides, a series et gear teeth 1.5, to mesh with gears as will be presently explained. rlhe wheel l-t, is provided on its periphery with a circum'terential groove lti, and on each side ot said groove Awith teeth '17, which are arranged in rows cireunrterent'ially with respect to said wheel. ()n that side ot the wheel opposite the gear teeth l5, is loeatcd a circlunlerential llange '18, which, as is clearly shown in liig. 7, ot the drawings7 projects laterally trom one side ol a segmental shield or apron 19, which is supported at its ends between the side pieces lt), and ll, ot the trame, and at its middle and lower portion by means ot a piece or support 20, transversely mounted on the lower portion ot the sides 10, and ll, ot' the main trame. This apron or shield has on its surl'ace adjacent to the \\\'heel lll, a rib Q1, extended into the groove 1G, and on its outer surface a strengthening rib QQ, and extends at one ol its ends upwardly and outwardly between the sides ot the main frame and terminates at its other end at the upper portion ot said side pieces as is clearly shown in Fig. l, o't the drawings.

rlhat end ot the shield` lt), which extends outwardly from the main trame, as well as trom the wheel lil, will be termed the toed ing end, tor it is aliparent that as said end of the shield diverges trom the wheel, the leaves of the fibrous plants may be easily placed between said shield and the periphery ot the wheel ll, so as to be drawn downwardtv in the operation o'tf the machine. 'lransversely mounted on the lower portion ot the main trame, is a driving sha tt 23, to which power may be applied to a sprocket wheel Q-lf. or gear mounted on one end o'll said sha'lit. This shalt has mounted thereon a worin gear 2.5, which meshes with a gear 2G, mounted on one end ot a sha'lt QT, which is diagonally journaled on the main trame and has at; its other end a gear QS, to mesh with the teeth lo, ot the groovcd wheel 11i, as is clearly shown in liigs. 2, and El, oit the drawings.

irl'ounted on the sha'tt 255, is a beveled gear 20, which meshes with a similar gear 30, on the lower end ot a sha'l't il, which is verti cally journaled at the iteeding end of the llO machine and below, but slightly to one side of a line drawn centrally and longitudinally through the apron or shield 19, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 3, of the drawings. Vertically journaled in parallelism with the shaft 31, and near the same, is another shaft 32, which has on its lower portion a pinion 33, to mesh wit-h a pinion 34, on the lower portion of the shaft 31, which shaft, as well as the shaft 32, has mounted thereon a beater or cleaning cylinder 35, each of which is provided with a series of vertically disposed ribs 36, and 37, having between the same, depressions 38, which are also vertically disposed. The ribs 36, on each of the cylinders 35, have smooth surfaces While the ribs 37, on each of said cylinders are serrated as is clearly shown in Fig. 5, for the purpose of cutting or breaking the outer coat and pulp of the fibrous leaves, and the smooth surfaced ribs are for the purpose of scraping or removing the same from the fiber as the cylinders 35, are rotated.

Mounted on the end of the shaft 23, from that on which the sprocket wheel or gear 24, is located, is a pulley 39, around which is passed a crossed belt 40, which also passes over a pulley 41, mounted on a shaft 42, which is journaled on one side of the frame near the cylinder 35, on the shaft 32, but in front of said cylinder and beneath the shield 19. Mounted on the shaft 42, is a brush 43, which is disposed so that a portion thereof will extend beneath and contact with the flange 18, on the wheel 14. Mounted on a shaft- 44, which is journaled in front and somewhat below the shaft 42, is a sprocket wheel 45, which is geared to the sprocket wheel 41a, by a chain 46. Mounted on the shaft 44, is another brush 47, which is also disposed so that a portion thereof will underlie and contact with the flange 18, of the main wheel., yet somewhat in front of the brush 43, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, of the drawings. Transversely journaled with respect to the main frame on a suitable bracket 48, extended from the upper portion of the front or discharging end thereof, is a shaft 49', which has mounted on one of its ends a sprocket wheel 50, and on its other end a wheel 51, which may be provided with teeth and one or more grooves similar to those on the wheel 14, and above described.

Extended around the sprocket wheel 50, is a sprocket chain 52, which also passes over a sprocket wheel 53, on the shaft of the main wheel 14, see Figs. 1, and 3, of the drawings. Located beneath the wheel 51, is a segmental shield 54, which has at one of its ends a bracket 55, by means of which it is secured to the main frame at the discharging end thereof. The bracket 55, is also provided with a transversely disposed shield 56, which is extended under a nishing drum 57, which is mounted on a shaft 58, longitudinally journaled on the main frame at the discharging end thereof at one side of the face of the wheel 51, and at one side of the shield 54, under said wheel. The drum has longitudinally mounted thereon a series of blades 59, used for scraping and cleaning the fiber. Mounted on the shaft 58, is a gear 60, which meshes withv a gear 61, mounted on a shaft 62, journaled on the main frame above the shaft 58. The shaft 62, also has mounted thereon a gear 63, which meshes with the teeth 15, of the main wheel 14, by which the drum 57 is driven.

From the foregoing and by reference to the drawings, it will be readily understood and clearly seen that by applying power to the shaft 23, the same will be rotated, thus causing the main wheel 14, through the instrumentality of the gears 25, 26, and 28, to be turned, in which operation it is apparent that the beveled gear 29, on the shaft 23, will drive the shafts 31, and 32, of the vertical cleaning' cylinders 35, so that they will rotate toward each other as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4, of the drawings. It is also apparent that as the shafts of the brushes 43, and 47, are geared to the driving shaft 23, that the same will be rotated against the flange 18, of the main wheel.

In the initial step of cleaning the leaves of the fibrous plants the said leaves are placed horizontally between the out-turned portion of the shield 19, and the wheel 14, so that the butt ends of the leaves will be clamped between the wheel and said shield and engaged by the teeth 17, of the former. The laterally and horizontally extended portion of the leaves will be placed between the tapered upper ends of the cleaning cylinders 35, which, as shown, and above described, are located. near the periphery of the main wheel 14, and one of said cylinders, somewhat to one side of said wheel. In the rotation of the main wheel, as well as that of the cleaning cylinders, it is apparent that the leaves will be drawn downwardly by the main wheel with the butt ends between the shield 19, and said wheel, and their outwardly extended portion downwardly between the cleaning cylinders 35, for some distance, during which time, the leaves will be crushed and scraped by the ribs 36, and 37, of the cleaning cylinders.

ln the further progress of the main wheel 14, the leaves will be drawn forwardly between the cleaning cylinders 35, so ,asV to cause them to lie circumferentially onv the flange 18, of the main wheel and be exposed to the action of the brushes 43, and 47, which will thoroughly clean the fiber of that portion of the leaves which have been crushed and scraped by the cleaningl cylinders. From said brushes, the leaves will be carried by the wheel 14, around tothe dis charging end of the shield 19, where they will be released Yfrom the main wheel and the :fiber or cleaned portions of the leaves caught by the wheel 51, and carried between the periphery of the same and the shield 54, therefor, in which operation the butt ends o'li the leaves which have heretofore been held by the teeth 17, ot the main wheel will be subjected to the action o't the drum 57, and the scraping blades 59, thereon, :tor it will be understood that in the rotation o'l said drum the butt ends ot' the leaves will be passed between it, and the shield 56, which is extended under the same. A'lter thus being acted on by said drum, the cleaning ot' the liber will be finished, and the same will be discharged t'rom between the shield 56, drum 57, wheel 51, and shield 511, at the outer or it'ree ends ot said shields. By forming the vertical grooves or depressions 38, in the cleaning cylinders C35, semicircular, it is apparent that they will otter but little obstruction to the pulp and other substances removed from the fiber and that the same will glide downwardly through said grooves.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is- 1. ln a machine oit' the character described, the combination with the main frame of a main wheel mounted thereon, said wheel having teeth on its periphery and provided with a laterally extended circumferential flange, a segmental shield mounted on the frame outwardly `from the toothed portion ot the main wheel, a pair of cleaning cylinders vertically journalcd near each other at one end ot' the :trame and one end ot' said shield, and means to rotate the wheel and said cylinders.

2. In a machine ot the character described, the combination with the main iframe, oit a main wheel mounted thereon, said wheel having a groove and teeth on its periphery and provided with a laterally extended circumferential tlange, a segn'iental shield mounted on the frame outwardly t'rom the toothed portion ot the main wheel and having a tongue extended into the groove ot| said wheel, a pair ot cleaning cylinders vertically mounted near each other at one end ol the 'frame and at one end ot said shield, and means to rotate the wheel and cylinders.

3. 1n a machine ot the character described, the combination with the main frame, of a .main wheel mounted thereon, a

segmental shield mounted on the 'trame outfA wardly from the main wheel, a pair oil clean ing cylinders vertically journaled near each other at one end of the trame and at one end oit said shield, and means to rotate the wheel and said cylinders.

t. In a machine of the character' described,

the combination with the main trame, of a main wheel mounted thereon and provided with a laterally extended circum'lerential Vllange, a segmental shield mounted on the frame outwardly from the main wheel, a pair of cleaning cylinders vertically mounted near each other at one end of the 'trame and at one end of said shield, a brush horizontally mounted to contact with the llange of the main wheel, and means to rotate said wheel, said cylinders and the brush.

In a machine of t-he character described, the combination with the main frame, Ot a main wheel mounted thereon and having a laterally extended circumferential flange, a segmental shield mounted on the frame outwardly Ytrom said wheel yet encompassing a part of the same, a pair of cleaning cylinders vertically mounted near each other and at one end ot the frame and at one end ot said shield, a brush horizontally journaled to contact with the Vflange ot the main wheel, a wheel journaled on the discharging end ot the frame in parallelism with the main wheel, a segmental shield supported on the :trame beneath the wheel at said end ol the frame, a finishing drum journaled on the discharging end of the trame, a segmental shield supported beneath said drum, and means to rotate the main wheel, the cleaning cylinders, and the brush.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination with the main trame, ot' a main wheel mounted thereon, said wheel having a groove and teeth on its periphery and provided with a laterally extended circumferential flange, a segmental shield mounted on the :trame outwardly 'trom the toothed portion ot' the main wheel and having a tongue extended into the groove thereoit', a pair oit' cleaning cylinders vertically mounted near each other at one end oil the iframe and at one end oit said shield, a brush horizontally journaled and disposed beneath the flange ot the main wheel, a wheel journaled on the discharging end of the frame in parallelism with the main il'rame, a segmental shield supported on the trame beneath the wheel at said end o't the trame, a l'inishing drinn journaled on the discharging end ot' the lranie, a segmental shield supported beneath said drain, and means to rotate the main wheel, the cleaning cylinders, and the brush.

7. 1n a machine ot' the character described, the combination with the main trame, o'l a main wheel mounted thereon, said wheel having teeth on its periphery and provided with a laterally ext ended circumferential flange, a segmental shield .mounted on the :lrame outwardly trom the toothed portion of the main wheel, a pair of cleaning cylinders vertically journaled near each other at one end ol the trame and at vone end of said shield, the said cylinders mate each other inthe rotation of said cyleach having vertically disposed ribs sepinders.

arated by semi-circular grooves, the said ribs being alternately provided with smooth and serrated Surfaces and adapted so that the serrated ribs Will approximate each other and the smooth surfaced ribs Will approxi- HENRY L. VAUGHAN.

lVitnesses:

J. E. HANSEN, CHAS. C. TILLMAN.

Copies of this patentmay be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

